Though it’s already been eight years since Sultan + Shepard graced Nadia Ali with one hell of a remix of ‘Love Story’, the 2009 team-up finally gets its follow-up. Today, the electronic music stars and the Pakistani-American singer-songwriter pick up where they left off by joining forces for ‘Almost Home’. The single is released on Amsterdam-based record label Armada Music and complemented by additional vocals from Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter IRO.
With Nadia Ali’s voice as a calming presence amidst the track’s country-brushed vibe, ‘Almost Home’ radiates big room, pop-savvy reassurance with a mid-track wake-up call. The guitars hold a steady line before surging into its bouncy, zingy climax and IRO’s vocals offer a second round of sturdy comfort, assisting in the transition of audiences linking arms and then jumping up together. It’s festival heat shot through with a cool breeze.
Grammy nominees, Beatport darlings and remixers to A-listers such as Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Coldplay, Sultan + Shepard are the pride of Canada and among the biggest names in dance music. With collaborations and remixes spanning a range of top-tier artists from Dillon Francis and Ed Sheeran to Rudimental and more, they are without doubt key to bridging the gap between dance music and pop. ‘Almost Home’ is a sterling example of just that.
For Nadia Ali, the rise to stardom started in 2001. As the frontwoman and singer-songwriter of iiO, she reached #2 in the UK singles chart with ‘Rapture’, which also charted in several other countries in Europe. Additional accolades include a #1 in Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart for ‘Is It Love?’ in 2006 and racking up three Top 10s in Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart for singles from debut album ‘Embers’ in 2009. One of those Top 10s was a sublime #1 for ‘Love Story’. Now that the Sultan + Shepard and Nadia have teamed up again, it all comes full circle brilliantly.
Grab your own copy here.